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Volume 2 Issue 2
Backwoods Bound 'Bullet'
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Greetings from the team at BACKWOODS BOUND and welcome to February's issue of the "Backwoods Bound Bullet". We hope you enjoy this special "fishing" issue. (You may want to
print this to view at your own leisure.) Some of the highlights include:
~ Our newest feature! Fishing Guides
~ January's prize winner/Backwoods Bound Monthly Contest
~ New product - "State-shaped" Antler Mounting Kits.
~ Article: "Get The Boat Ready!"
~ Fun Fact / Fishing Tip / Product reviews
~ Article: "Illinois caviar?"
~ Article: "Kenny's Corner"
Your ideas, suggestions, tips, recipes, and photos are helping us expand and develop this site into Your Family Outdoor Web Site, our true mission! Visit us today! Select a squirrel or venison recipe to make for dinner, review the fishin' tips, shop at our affiliates to restock your boat and tackle box, stop by the Fish and Game Agency to order your fishing license on-line, post an announcement for that local fishin' tournament or share information on our bulletin board, check the weather, answer the current survey question in our hunting, fishing, & recipe sections, browse through our guides section to start planning your next fishin' trip, visit yourself or your Backwoods Bound Buddies in the photo gallery, and don't forget to pick up an Illinois antler plaque to finally mount those great antlers from that buck you picked up in Southern Illinois last year. Wow!!! As you can see, you've helped us come a long way from when we started this site! We hope you enjoy
this issue and look forward to your continued participation in the site!
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PRIZES!
We love visitor participation! Everyone who submits ideas, hunting or fishing tips, recipes, or photos each month automatically gets entered into our monthly contest. We select the best entry and reward them with a FREE prize! January's winner was Doug Lloyd of Anchorage,
Alaska. Doug submitted an awesome photo of himself holding two Silver Salmon (Coho) caught at Willow Creek Alaska. Check out Doug, the salmon, and the great scenery! You can see this photo at http://www.backwoodsbound.com/fishphotos.html. Doug won a FREE sleeping bag donated by our hunting affiliate, Cheaper Than Dirt.
February's contest is already in full swing! Cheaper Than Dirt has once again offered to sponsor our contest. The prize this month is a B-Square Screwdriver Set. This professional gunsmith screwdriver set comes complete with 26 hardened steel bits, (Phillips, slotted, hex, & torx), a
full-featured screwdriver, 1 2-1/4" shaft extender, and a 1/4" socket drive adapter all housed in a grey plastic storage box with individual compartments for each item. Made in the USA and comes with a Lifetime Warranty. Manufactured by B-Square Products. Check it out at
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=CLN%2D790
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Article: Is Your Boat Ready For Spring Fishin' Fever?
Hello fellow fishermen! Here it is the middle of February. While some of you have been fishing for trout or walleye, most of us have been sitting at home waiting for spring. Well, now is the perfect time to check over your boat and trailer so you'll be ready to go as soon as the ice melts.
Following is a short check list of things to check out. I know each one of us has a different set up so they are just some general things. Here are mine:
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*Outboard motor: If it was running poorly last fall, now is the time to get it to the repair shop. As the weather warms these guys really busy so get yours tuned up now.
*Batteries: Fill with distilled water and charge. If they won't keep a charge, change them out. If they do take a charge, be sure and load test them. Batteries may charge but go dead real fast when you hit them with the load of your trolling motor.
*Trolling motor: Remove the prop and clean off all the gunk from around the shaft. Check all electrical connections to make sure they are clean and making good contact.
*Hatches/hinges: Check all hatch locks and hinges. Lube if necessary.
*Bilge pump/live well: Check to see the bilge pump and live well aerators run. Most of these will come apart so you can clean the gunk off the impellors. Check the hoses to the bilge and the live wells for cracks and splits. You don't want to fill the boat with water the first time you fill the live well.
*Steering & throttle cables: Check and lube the steering and throttle cables. Make sure they work smoothly and don't bind. Adjust if necessary.
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*Fuel tank/filter: I always remove the old gasoline from my fuel tank and clean it out. Of course I have a portable tank and it is easy. You may not be able to do this with a mounted tank. I always use fuel stabilizer in my tank but they say it only keeps the gas stable for about six months. I didn't do this one year and had a very hard time when I got to Kentucky Lake starting my motor. Also drain the fuel lines and the bowl on the carberator or the fuel filter. Install new fuel filter.
*Oil: Change the oil in your motor's lower unit if you didn't drain it in the fall.
*Lube: Lube all the places on your motor according to the manufacturer recommendations.
*Lights/instrumentation: Check them thoroughly.
*Clean: Give the boat a good cleaning. Empty the storage compartments and vacuum them out. You will probably find some stuff you don't need to carry (ie, dead crickets, dried minnows, etc) or find some things you need to replace. (ie, sunblock, WD-40, etc) Don't forget to vacuum out the live well.
*Life jackets: Check your life jackets and replace them if they are dried out, cracked, or split.
*Fire extinguisher/emergency equipment: Make sure your fire extinguisher is charged and all emergency equipment is present and in good condition. (ie, whistle or horn, hand bailer, etc)
*First aid kit: Restock and/or replace any expired or ruined items.
*Final check: Give the boat a good going over. Fix or replace anything you don't like.
Nothing ruins a trip more than a problem you could have prevented in the first place. There are always going to be unforseen thing that can happen, so just relax and go with it. Remember a bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work! (Next month we'll go over the trailer.)
-James B
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*By the way folks, if you need a new rod, reel, tackle box, or tackle, check out our web site and look at our affiliate Dunhams sports. The products you want are just a click away!
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Product Review: Berkley Line Stripper With Sharpening Stone
This Berkley Line Stripper comes with a Sharpening Stone and is perfect for spinning and baitcasting reels. *This is a great tool to have on hand to quickly and easily strip the old line off your reel. See this tool on our site at http://www.backwoodsbound.com/fishproduct1.html
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Backwoods Bound Visitor Survey
Results of Januarys survey are in..................!
**60% of visitors surveyed traveled more than 300 miles to go fishing! I'm sure our affiliate guides will love to hear this! When you're ready to plan that next trip, check out our guide section. We're adding more weekly so check there first!
**80% of visitors surveyed prefer hunting for large game animals. Hey, are all you duck, squirrel, and rabbit hunters forgetting to take the survey or are you just keeping your accuracy up for the real deal?
**45% of visitors surveyed prefer the taste of mallard. Wood duck and Teal came in second. I envy those of you that have tasted them all. Oh well, everyone has to have a dream right?
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Don't forget to stop by soon to place your vote for the current survey! We love to know how our visitor's think!
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Article: Illinois Caviar?
When I heard an Illinois resident commercially fished for caviar from the Mississippi River, curiosity got the better of me! Gene Esker, a fascinating man with a twinkle in his eye and a talent for scrapping out a living off the land and river, had just finished cleaning part of the days catch when I met him at his business, Trapper's Fall Fish & Fur.
Although he retired from the Armed services in '81, he didn't stop there, he's been trappin' and fishin' ever since. Part of his winter business consists of commercially fishing for paddlefish (spoonbill) and sturgeon. In addition to the sale of the flesh, he sells the roe to a Missouri
buyer who then produces caviar.
His lakes boast some of the best catfishin' around. For an $8.00 fee you can keep 4 catfish. Since it's not unusual to snag 25 - 30 pound cats, the day could prove well-worth your while! His business continues to grow with plans to open a fishing resort later this spring. This resort will be complete with rustic log cabins equipped with some of the essentials of modern living, ie. air conditioning, microwaves, etc.
The team of Backwoods Bound dream of weekend trips enjoying the outdoors and actually manage to enjoy a variety of hunting and fishing experiences, but this man and his family actually LIVE the outdoor life!
Trapper's FallFish & Fur is located 3 miles south of Fults on Bluff Road.For more information contact Gene or Gisela (Liz) Esker at 618-458-7270.
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Affiliate Review: Cheaper Than Dirt by Beth Lowe
Lot's of folks comment on our name, wondering where it came from. A good friend in west Texas once remarked in a heavy Texas drawl, "You boys sell your stuff Cheaper Than Dirt!" His accent and comment stuck in our minds and we thought, "What's wrong with being cheap?" After all,
everyone loves a bargain. So we keep our margins low and sell big piles of stuff, always bringing the lowest possible price to you.
Cheaper Than Dirt Offers the best prices on Ammunition, Hunting, Camping, Shooting, Reloading, Archery and wilderess Survival Gear. Over 65,000 products at Super Bargain Prices. Come check us out. You'll see why we call ourselves Cheaper Than Dirt!
Thanks
Beth Lowe
The e-Marketing Dude at
www.CheaperThanDirt.com
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Fishin' Tip - Try this tip to keep your worms easily accessible. Cut the bottom and top off a large can. (Coffee can works great!) Place a plastic lid on top and bottom. Worms typically crawl to the bottom so just turn the can upside down and get your worm. See more fishin' tips at
http://www.backwoodsbound.com/tipsfishing.html
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Shopping:
We've assembled some of our favorite affiliates in one place to make shopping for that certain someone even easier! Our goal is to save you time! Time for the important things like huntin', fishin', craftin', and family. There's nothing like gettin' that shoppin' done without even having
to scrape the ice off the windshield or warm up the car.
Another favorite affiliate of ours is Half.com. This site is a resell shop for books, movies, DVDs, CDs, and cassettes. If you've ever bought a pre-viewed video you know there is substantial savings along with great quality. My family shops there often and have been impressed at the wide variety of popular and hard-to-find items. The last time I surfed I also noticed pages and pages of fishing
videos. Expand your fishin' library without emptying your wallet. Already mastered some of the techniques in your current videos? Sell them on this site to make room for all your new ones!
Visit our shopping page at
http://www.backwoodsbound.com/gifts.html
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Fun Fact: Mardi Gras is the largest private party in the world, equalling the revenue of 3 Republican Conventions or 5 Super Bowls. See more fun facts at
http://www.backwoodsbound.com/funfacts.html
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NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT!
We've found it! The most unique gift you can buy your favorite deer hunter, BACKWOODS BOUND TROPHY PLAQUES! Hand-crafted, hardwood plaques cut into the shape of the state or Canadian province of your choosing! These plaques not only proudly display your favorite antlers, but let everyone know in what state you bagged your trophy! These are a must for anyone hunting several states and will make a wonderful addition to every hunter's trophy room! Replace those pressed wood plaques you purchased at the discount store. Your display antlers deserve to be mounted on this unique, hand-crafted, state plaque. You'll be the envy of your buddies!
Visit our home page to order yours now!http://www.backwoodsbound.com
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Recipe of the month:
Baked Salmon And Potato Skins
~1 pound canned or fresh cooked salmon
~8 medium sized potatoes, baked/cooled
~1 medium onion, chopped
~1/2 cup of milk
~1 cup of bread crumbs
~2 Tbsp butter or margarine
~salt & pepper to taste
*Flake the salmon and remove all bones and skin.
*Slice the potatoes in half and scoop out the meat. Save this in a bowl. Set the shells off to the side.
*Mash the potato meat, adding the milk and seasonings. Add the salmon. Mix lightly.
*Stuff the potato shells with the potato and salmon mixture.
*Top off with the bread crumbs. Dot with the butter.
*Bake at 400F for 25 minutes. Enjoy!
---For more recipes and a variety of wild game cookbooks visit our recipe page at
http://www.backwoodsbound.com/recipe.html
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Product Review: Daiwa Spinmatic Ultralight Spinning Reel
The Daiwa Spinmatic Ultralight SM-S500T fishing reel is equipped with a graphite lightweight long cast spool that covers more water to reach your extended strike zones. Fishing with an Ultralight fishing reel is alot of fun. Makes even a small fish feel like a "trophy"! See this reel on our site at
http://www.backwoodsbound.com/fishproduct1.html
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Kenny's Corner: An editorial view of the Backwoods Bound experience!
It's February and I know you're sitting there thinking to yourself, "it's just too darn cold to go fishing". Well, do I have some good news for you! The place to go in February, or March for that matter, is Lake Taneycomo.
Lake Taneycomo is located in Branson, Missouri. It's a 22-mile long lake that begins below the dam at Table Rock Lake, and ends going over the dam into Bull Shoals Lake. When fishing Lake Taneycomo, the name of the game is trout. Both brown and rainbow trout are abundant and you
have a fair chance to catch a trophy.
I have been going to Lake Taneycomo for the past 12 years, and every time it's been great. Along its 22-mile span, there are numerous lodges that offer a pleasant stay, boats, bait, etc. at reasonable prices. After a great day of fishing you may want to wander into Branson for dinner or a show.
I fished 2 days at Lake Taneycomo in late January, and once again, I wasn't disappointed. We caught a lot of trout. (No trophies this trip, but what the heck!)
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It's easy to get information and accommodations on Lake Taneycomo. Just get on the old computer and look up Branson, Lake Taneycomo, or trout fishing in Missouri. You guys are good at this; you get the picture. So there you have it. Stop thinking about the bass, crappie, and
bluegill that will tug on your lines come spring, and head to Lake Taneycomo for trout fishing at its best!
I'm Kenny and I hope I have all of you in my corner.
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**We're working hard to develop this site into something for the whole family. We want our site to earn first ranking in the sites you frequent...your input is important! Do you have photos you'd like to share with the world, favorite web sites you'd like us to link with, tasty recipes you'd like to share, new topics for our site, etc? E-mail us anytime at editor@backwoodsbound.com The best
photo, tip or recipe, most exciting suggestion, hobby, or craft idea each month wins a free gift! Remember, this month's prize is a valuable screwdriver set from Cheaper Than Dirt! We'll also make sure we include your name on the submission so the whole world can know you're a
Backwoods Bound type of person!
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**To all our Backwoods Bound Buddies: We sincerely appreciate all your support! We hope you'll continue to help by forwarding this newsletter to all the people in your address book or posting in your lunchroom at work. Give folks an opportunity to participate in our site!Thanks alot!
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